Semaphore signal apparatus



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet l P. STITZELXU O. WEINEDEL.

SEMAPHORE SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Patented. Apr. 3, 1888.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2. I. STITZEL 81; G. WEINEDEL SEMAPHOR-E SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Patented Apr. 3

(N0 Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

F. STITZEL & G. WEINEDBL. SBMAPHOR-E SIGNAL APPARATUS.

No. 380,409. I Patented Apr. 3, 1888.

miililm (E0 Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4. P. STITZEL & O. WEINEDBL. SEMAPHOR-E SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Patented Apr. a; 1888.

Wyn utdm 02 H UNITED STATES PATENT trio's.

FREDERICK STITZEL AND CHARLES WEINEDEL, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

SEMAPHORE. SIGNAL APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 380,409, dated April 3, 1888.

Application filed March 18, 1887.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FREDERICK STITZEL and CHARLES WEINEDEL, of Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in semaphores; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to an improvement in semaphore signaling apparatus, and more particularly to mechanism of that type which is employed to indicate danger and safety signals in operating the block system of railway service.

lhe primary obiect of our present inven tion is to furnish a device that will instantly and reliably operate to exhibit a danger-signal when a locomotive enters a block and as speedily change the signal to one denoting safety when the train occupying a block is removed from it.

A further object is to so construct a semaphore signaling apparatus that a weighted and pivoted signal-bladc-will be conj u nctively operated by gravity, electricity, and a vibrating motor, the motive power of the latter'named instrumentality being an overweight of fluid produced by the agency of heat applied to one of two pivoted sealed chambers of equal size to expel liquid from one chamber and drive it to the other at a proper time to coact with the other named forces through the agency of simple and novel mechanical devices to pro duce the desired result.

A further object is to construct a thermomotor for assisting the operation of a semaphore signaling apparatus that will by the action of heat applied to one of two vibrating chambers of equal capacity and void of atmospheric air expel volatile fluid in a liquid form from a filled chamber to an upper empty chamber and hold it overpoised to cause the receiving-ch21 mber to descend by gravity until a proper point is reached, when the co-operative action of electricity will be utilized to complete the operation, regulating the movement of a weighted visual signal-blade, causing it to be set or held in position to indicate safety or danger, as is required.

A further object is to so construct a thermo Serial No. 231,475. (No model.)

motor having two air-tight vacuum-chambers of equal size pivoted to vibrate on centers, one chamber containing volatile liquid, that the liquid in a lower chamber may be driven through passages outside these chambers into the upper chamber and be held there overpoised by the action of applied heat, the influence of which being removed by a vibration of the chambers on their pivotal centers causes the motor to assume a position near a horizontal line, the heated chamber being supported sufiiciently below the other chamber to receive the major portion of its liquid contents that are actuated by gravity when in that position, and thus throw the preponderance of weight into the lower chamber to cause it to descend into a position over the source of heat when released to do so, providing by such action for the recharging of the empty chamber with the liquid contents of the filled chamber.

A further object of our invention is to so construct and support the armature-bars of the electro-magnets employed as adjunctive features of our improved semaphore signaling device that the weight of these armatures will cause them to assume positions of contact with the poles of their respective sets of magnets when permitted or caused to do so 5 and also to provide an automatic latch that will be mechanically operated by one armature to hold the idle armature of the dormant magnets in assured contact with these demagnetized magnets, and prevent an improper release of the same when the electric current is switched from the charged magnets to those that are inactive.

With the foregoing-mentioned obj ects of our invention in view, the same is embodied in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts,that will be hereinafter specifically described, and pointed out in the claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a front elevation of the complete device with the front removed to expose working mechanism,thesignal being set to indicate safety. Fig. 2 is a side elevation with the operative machinery shown as viewed from the right side of the semaphore. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the machinery, taken on aline w w, see Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation showing the danger-signal exposed. Fig. 5 is a ICO view in side elevation of thepair of magnets and the armature having a toe thereon for engaging an arm on the motor-shaft. Fig. 6 is a view in end elevation of same. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the device, taken on the line was of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a view in vertical section of the motor; and Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the position of the semaphores at the ends of the block, the location of the batteries, relays, electro-magnets, and connections.

In operation of railroads employing the block system it is of the firstimportance that a perfectly-reliable means be providedv of indicating when a train enters a block and also the instant it leaves it. The semaphore patented June 29, l886,and numbered 344,755, is of our invention. It is measurably effective, but has been found in practice deficient in important features,which we have fully provided for in our present invention.

The most important feature of improvement consists in the construction of a thermomotor that will by applied heat transfer liquid unvapori-zed from a lower to an upper chamber and hold it therein,while the chamber that received it is inclined on its trunnions to fall to or near a horizontal position when released, and in this latter position permit a return of the transferred liquid to the chamber from which it was driven by heat, thus producing a preponderance ofweight in this lower chamber to cause it to resume an upright position over the heat-producer, the motor by this means being rendered quick-acting and. relia ble, and in this respect radically differing from the motor shown in Patent No. 344,755, which operates bythe vaporization and subsequent condensation of volatile liquid, the transfer from one chamber to the other being accomplished while the liquid is in a gaseous form.

Other important mechanical additions and changes have been made that conduce to perfect the efficiency of service of the present in-' vention, which We will, now describe.

The casing A is preferably made rectangular, of any suitable material,and of proper dimensions to receive the operative mechanism of the semaphore. Upon the upper surface of y I the case A the vertical bracket A is secured,

and adapted to hold in proper position the shieldD,thislatter being constructed to afl' ord a box in which the visual blade B may be concealed, or lowered to expose it in the manner usual to such devices, the front face of the shield being preferably painted white, to indicate safety when the red. visual blade is hidden in this shield.

A frame, F F, is secured to the upper interior surface of the casing A to support the thermo motor 0 in operative position. A bracket, F is fixed to the foot of the frame F, to receive and sustain the electro-magnets G H, two pairs of which are preferably em ployed, or as many in each series as are necessary to do the work assigned to them.

The motor 0 is composed of two conical brace 72, to rest in aplane at right angles to it and the tubes at a, this shaft affording vibratory support for the thermomotor. The bottoms of the motor-chambers tfi are somewhat inclined to thelongitudinal axis of these chambers' and are slightly convexed, the head of the chamber 25 being made double walled, with,

a space intervening between them. This space 0 is preferably filled with wire-cloth or other suitable cellular metallic fabric that will permit a limited quantity of liquid to enter thespace and be heated quickly by the extensive surface for contact afforded by the filling.- The inner. wall of the chamber t has twoor.

more perforations, b, made through it topermit the introduction of liquid from the chamber proper into the space 0 between the heads,

and a tube, S, is preferably made fast to the inner head to furnish a direct passage for vapor that is generated between the heads tothetop portion of chamber 25". This latter provision of the tube S is not an absolutely necessary appliance, as the vapor might be allowed to escape through an orifice in theinner head and rise to the top surface of the contained liquid in the chamber by reason of its comparative lightness.

A lamp, L is secured in place below the head of the lower chamber of the motor 0, and is of such an approved construction as will furnish a proper volume of heat that may be graduated and perfection of carbon combustion be afforded to prevent smoke from being deposited on the head of the motor-chamber.

The visual blade B of the semaphore is pivoted near its center and is weightedat J, to cause it to fall into a horizontal position by gravity, and thus exhibit a signal of danger from an exposure'of its red surface when permitted to do so.

On the short shaft u, upon which the visual blade B is fixed and supported to vibrate, the rock-arm u is secured, and to its outer extremity a depending rod, 8, is pivoted, this through perforated lugs formed on this bar,

and has a spiral spring, is, inserted to receive and neutralize any shock occasioned by the sudden fall of the rod when the signa1-blade Bis moved to indicate safety, and also cushion thethrustof therodS when it is elevated to;

throw the visual signal-blade into a horizontal position, to indicate track occupied, or danger.

On the front face of. the slide-bar M the.

pendent latch L is pivoted to ashort projectwith this bar.

ing ear to permit its foot L to receive the free end of the arm K upon its top surface, and as this arm K is rigidly affixed to the shaft 1? in a line with the upper conical surface of the chamber t when it is elevated from the heat generator, it is evident from inspection of Fig. 1 that when the signal-bladeB is concealed to indicate safety the bar M will then be at its lowest point of depression, the toe of the lever K will rest upon thelatch L till this position of the bar M is nearly effected, and the weight of the contained liquid in the lower chamber of the motor 0 will aid, to adjust the semaphore-blade B in this position, the arm K releasing the latch L just before the lowest point of adjustment of bar M is reached.

The electro-magnets G G H H are arranged in pairs that are parallel to each other, the relative positions of these magnets being such with regard to the slide-bar M and arm K that the armature-bars f f can by proper extensions be made to engage these pieces, as will presently be shown.

A bracket, 0, which is secured and depends from a horizontal extension of the frame-piece F, aifords a means of support to the horizontal armature-barf, which is pivoted to this bracket to vibrate vertically. The portion of the bar f that engages the poles of the magnets G G is of sufficient weight to cause it to assume such a position of contact with them when it is free to do so. Immediately below the hinge-joint p of the armature-bar f a depending limb, p, is extended, it being preferably made integral On the face of the limb p an inclined abutment-piece, p", is formed, which is directly opposite to an ear, (I, that projects from the face of the slide-bar M, the inclined projecting edge of the abutment 1) bearing against the ear. The limb p is of such a length that its lower termination will abut upon the surfaceof the ear d and tend to hold the slide-bar M in depressed adjustment when the armature-bar f is in contact with the poles of the magnets G G and they are electrically charged. The armature-bar f, that has contact with the magnets H H,is made of similar dimensions to the bar f to insure its contact with the poles of these magnets by the action of gravity. It is supported upon the bracket 9 to vibrate on a pivot-bolt, and is provided with a latch-toe, 9, that is adapted to engage the top and lower edges of the arm K.

The latch-toe g is weighted and pivoted to cause it to assume a proper position to be vibrated by the arm K, and thus be moved from its path when this arm is elevated, then fall back into place and become a support for the arm and the motor 0 when it is necessary to support the latter in or near a horizontal position. Between the magnets H and 'H the hook-plate Y is pivoted at its foot to permit its body to fall edgewise towardthe opposed inner edge of the armature-barf. The bar Y is provided with an inclined upper edge adapted (when the bar Y is out of contactwith the armature f) to rest in the plane of the movement of the armature f. The bar Y is adapted to fall away from the armature f by gravity, and is moved into contact with the armaturef by the downward movement of the armature f engaging the inclined surface of the bar.

It will be noticed that the upper edge of the hook-plate Y, that has contact with the armature-bar f, is given such an inclination as to permit the barf to hold it against the armature-bar f when the magnets G G, upon which the barfimpinges, are in battery-circuit, and therefore charged to attract and hold their armature.

The edge of the hook-plate Y is notched at u to permit it to bear upon the armature-bar f, and it will be seen that this engagement of parts will insure the holding of the armaturebarf mechanically in depressed adjustment, and in consequence the thermo-motor G will be supported in a horizontal position when the overweight of liquid forced into. the upper chamber causes it to take such a position.

It should be stated that the magnets G H are connected to a battery of adequate strength to hold their armatnres with proper force, and thus effect theauxiliary work they are intended to perform. It is obvious that as the armature-bars ff are constructed to fall into position by their own weight a battery of com paratively lower potential force can be employed.

In Fig. 9 we have shown the semaphore at the end of a block connected together and to the track by the line-wire 4. This line 4 is a closed circuit and controls the relays 6, which latter are cut out by a train entering and brought in by atrain leaving the local block. The relaysshil't the local currents from G to H, causing the mechanism to indicate danger and back again to indicate safety. \Vhen a train, 2, enters the block, theline-current is from pole of battery to rail, through car-wheels, axles, car, and car-wheelsto other rail, thence to -pole of battery. After the train leaves the block the line'currentis from pole of battery to rail, then through relays, and from thence through other rail back to pole of battery.

\Vhen the motor (J is to be charged for use, the lower chamber, t", is filled with a volatile fluid-such as ether or chloroform-and avacuum established by any approved means, the chambers are then hermetically sealed. WVhen heat is applied to the head of the lower chamber by ignition ofthelampbelowit,the vaporizing of the liquid by its contact with the extensive heating-surface of the wiregauze filling will speedily produce a pressure in the upper portion of the chamber 1 and the expansive force thus developed will force the liquid through the pipes at a into the upper chamber, t, until a sufficient quantity has been transferred to cause the motor to move on the trunnion ends ofthe shaft P, and a nearly horizontal position is attained. When the maximum vibration of the thermo-motor is reached, the

arm K is in a position above the toe g on the armaturef, and is prevented from resuming its vertical position' by said toe, which latter forms a stop for holding the shaft P against movement until after the armature f has been released. By means of this arrangement the motor 0 will be sustained nearly horizontal, asjust described, to permit the liquid to return from the upper chamber, t, to the lower chamber, 2?, so that a release of the toe y will permit the weight of liquid thus transferred to cause a return of the motor to an upright position. After heat has been applied to the motor and the latter turned to a horizontal, it is held by the latch-toe g until the latter is moved by the armature to which it is attached.

In operation, when the track is clear on a block, as previously stated, the safety-signal consists in the concealment of the visual signal-blade B in its shield, which shows a vertical white surface. \Vhen the blade B is in this position, the armature-bar f is held by the magnets G G and the hook-plate Y is made to bear upon the parallel armature-bar This in turn affords support by its pivoted latch-toe g to the motor 0, the same being in a horizontal position, as hereinbefore described.

WVhen a locomotive or train is made to enter the empty block, it switches the current into the magnets H H and removes it from the magnets G G. The armature-bar f is now held by the direct force of electricity and continues to sustain in recumbent position the motor 0. The release of the barf allows the hook Y to fall, the slide-bar M to be raised, and thevisual signal-blade B to fall to a position indicating danger, and it will so remain until the train leaves the bloclgwhep the electric current is again switched and made to pass through the magnets G G. This action will release the barf, and thus allow the now unsupported weight of the lower chamber of the motor 0 to depress it. The return of the motor to an upright position will cause the arm K to bear on the pendent latch L and return the signal-blade B to its shield. The armature-bar f having fallen into place, is rigidly held by the electric energy of, the magnets G G, and thus a lock of the signal-blade to indicate safety is produced by the depending end of this barf having bearing-contact with the ear (I, as is shown in Fig. 1.

Many slight changes might be made in the constructive details of this device without departure from the spirit and scope of our invention; hence we do not wish to limit ourselves to exact forms shown; but, 7

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. lhe combination ofasignaling-blade pivoted to go to danger by gravity, :1 motor vibrating by a change of liquid from chamber to chamber by heat and its return by gravity,

and electrical holding devices, substantially as set forth.

2. In a thermo-motor for a semaphore signaling device, the combination,with two pivoted and hermetically-sealed chambers, two pipes connecting the chambers at opposite points, and volatile liquid placed in the chambers, of a heat-generator adapted to create vapor in one chamber and drive the-liquid into the other chamber and vibrate the joined chambers by the preponderance of weight thus created, substantially as set forth.

3. In a thermo-motor for a semaphore signaling device, the combination, with two pivoted hermetically sealed conical chambers provided with a volatile liquid, and two pipes oppositely locatedand attached by their ends to form communicating passages between the chambers, one chamberhaving two heads with an intervening space, the inner head. being perforated to allow liquid to enter this space, of a heat-producer located inproximity to the lower chamber to create vapor and expel the liquid from this lower chamber into the upper chamber to vibrate it to or near ahorizontal plane, substantially as set'forth.

4. In a semaphore signaling device, the combination, with a visual signaling-blade pivoted and weighted to cause its vibration and outward extension, of electromagnets and a thermo-motor that coacts with the gravitating blade to set it for danger or safety signals, the motor operating by the expulsion in volume of liquid from one chamber to another and its return by gravity to the chamber from which it was expelled, substantially as set forth.

5. In a semaphore signaling device, the combination, with a visual signaling-blade pivoted and weighted to vibrate from a vertical position by gravity, of two sets of electro-magnets, their armature-bars, and a motor that derives power from the vaporizing of a portion of its liquid contents, the expulsion of the major portion of the liquid from one chamber to another, and its return to the chamber from which it was expelled by gravity, substantially as set forth.

6. In a semaphoresignal, the combination, with a visual signaling-blade adapted to fall to a horizontal position by gravity, of two sets of electro-magnets, one set adapted to release the blade and allow it to fall and the other set effecting an elevation of the blade, substantially as set forth.

7. In a semaphore-signal, the combination, with a signaling -blade adapted to fall to a horizontal position by gravity and a motor, of two sets of electro-magnets, one set adapted to release the blade and allow it to fall and the other set adapted to release the motor, which latter returns the blade to its upright position, substantially as set forth.

8. In a semaphore signaling device, two sets of electro-magnets having weighted armaturebars pivoted to rest on the poles of the magnets by force of gravity, and a pivoted hookplate adapted to have hooked engagement with the armature-bar of the dormant magnets to retain this bar in place on the poles of these magnets by enforced contact of the hookplate with the armature-bar of the set of magnets that are charged with electricity, substantially as set forth.

9. In a semaphore-signal, the combination, with a signal-blade adapted to fall by gravity, and a depending sliding rod for turning said blade to an upright position, of a motor, an eiectro-magnet, an armature-bar for locking said motor against movement, and a second electro-magnet having an armature-bar adapted to hold the signal-blade in an upright position, substantially as set forth.

10. In a semaphore-signal for the railway block system of signaling, the combination, with a signaling-blade adapted to fall to a. horizontal position by gravity, of two sets of electro-magnets, their armature-bars and latches,

and a motor, one set of magnets adapted to hold the signal-blade in a position to indicate safety and the other set holding the motor in proper adjustment to effect an elevation of the signal-blade to a position indicating safety when the train leaves the block, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK STITZEL. CHARLES XVEINEDEL.

Witnesses:

J B. OHLIesoHLAsnR, CHAS. P. MILLER. 

